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Fitting a R31 Skyline B/W diff to LH/X


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#101 76lxhatch

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Posted 06 April 2010 - 08:13 PM

TerrA LX I just used both of the Skyline axles, the short side VN axle is pretty well identical in length to a Torana axle making them ideal for moving the diff centre over a bit and using equal length axles in a conversion. I think one would be a bit longer than a Skyline short side and a bit shorter than the short side though so not much use in the Skyline diff.

slowlx interesting that the touchy part of the conversion is the axle pattern change, another thought I have is that maybe using equal length axles (VN shorts) centres the housing in such a way that minimal welding to the cast metal is required equally on both sides. The down side is the narrow Torana tunnel with an offset drive shaft...

#102 _hatch76_

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Posted 06 April 2010 - 09:20 PM

Hey guys called up 2 well known diff shops in the keysborough and dandenong areas asking about prices to convert the r31 diff. They both said the same thing that they do not recommend this conversion. Their words were that it would not pass an engineer, and that it wasn't the right way to do it. One shop pretty much said he would refuse to change the pattern on the exisitng r31 axles... Their answer was to make billet axles but then just to weld on the brackets and new axles without touching the centre or diff gears would cost almost $1500. They both recommended Cutting down a vn diff to fit quoted me around $900 to do this and weld on the brackets, but then your stuck with commodore stud pattern so dunno now.


Hi mate
I'm in Adelaide, and same problem as you finding someone to do this conversion. Tried Rod tech, they said can't be done. Would have to do a VN onwards. They quoted me $770 to shorten and change stud pattern using a commodore diff. I guess that included the Torana pick up points. Mite check.

Edited by hatch76, 06 April 2010 - 09:23 PM.


#103 _brett_32i_

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Posted 06 April 2010 - 09:45 PM

that seems like a good price.

i used shaun mullins in bayswater. was $350 to mount my brackets to the skyline housing. i also supplied donor housings.
i think it was super trick in dandy did my axles (restud) for i think $120 total or $120 each??

#104 derrin71

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Posted 07 April 2010 - 10:03 AM

The Skyline and Commodore calipers are very very similar, only difference is the built-in handbrake on the Skyline ones, bleed nipples in same place. The Skyline mounting position is rotated maybe 25 degrees (at a wild guess) up at the rear compared to Commodore, no issue with bleeding. The Commodore calipers would sit further inboard due to the disc offset I reckon, although perhaps the axle flange position makes up for some or all of this?

edit: looking at Rory's pic on the previous page, it looks like he has had the flange on the end of the housing rotated almost back to Commodore position, mine are standard R31:

Posted Image

Hi mate, just wondering where you got the slotted disc rotors from? Did they bome as blanks with no stud holes drilled? Do you have a manufacturer and or part number handy?

#105 76lxhatch

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Posted 07 April 2010 - 11:44 AM

Yes blanks, was easy enough to drill them using the axle as a template because I didn't have the studs in at the time. DBA 616U for plain (unslotted), 616USL and 616USR for slotted left and right respectively.

#106 _@milco@_

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Posted 07 April 2010 - 12:27 PM

just spoke to 4wdsystems the supplier of the lokka, and the current priceing is $498 + $20 shipping to melbourne!!!!!!!!!!! cheap as mate!!!

#107 _rorym_

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Posted 07 April 2010 - 06:19 PM

Ah, yup. Blond moment sorry.

So does someone have some lengths handy from a conversion?
I seem to remember 660mm as the short one and used a VN short as the long but both being 10mm short overall.

I will measure my spare set later Terra.
R

#108 _youngy_11_

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Posted 08 April 2010 - 12:59 PM

Yeah thats cheap. I did get a quote for a Detroit Truetrac which has no backlash/noise like the LOKKA and it was $1000 delivered and from onther quotes that was pretty good.

#109 _wardy_

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Posted 15 April 2010 - 10:11 PM

just letting you guys know , spoke with DBA on today , no longer doing 616 blanks unless its an order for 50+

#110 76lxhatch

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Posted 16 April 2010 - 06:59 AM

Weird, when I bought mine the guy told me I'd picked one of the most common rotors they make...!

#111 derrin71

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Posted 16 April 2010 - 08:48 AM

I've contacted DBA and RDA and they both won.t make blanks unless the order is for 50+ and will only sell to brake specialists anyone got any other ideas?

Edited by derrin71, 16 April 2010 - 08:52 AM.


#112 _wardy_

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Posted 16 April 2010 - 05:55 PM

Try aussie diffs at currumbin qld , got axles done to hq pattern and new rotors 295 to my door .
Dont know yet if they were blanks or redone skyline rotors , will find out when they arrive monday

#113 _sprx3_

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Posted 19 April 2010 - 03:01 PM

Hey guys,

im looking at doing this to a uc, i would like to put commy wheels on (maybe walkinshaws VL) will the skyline diff offset be suitable? or should i be looking at a commy diff & getting it cut down?

#114 _sprx3_

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Posted 20 April 2010 - 03:55 AM

Hey guys,

im looking at doing this to a uc, i would like to put commy wheels on (maybe walkinshaws VL) will the skyline diff offset be suitable? or should i be looking at a commy diff & getting it cut down?


maybe i should be asking what offset i should be using with whatg size rim. im going flareless ;)

also whats the best suited front brake upgrade to suit the skyline rear? sorry im new at this ;) p,s im putting a 304 into the car & am looking for a street stip car for some fun

#115 TerrA LX

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Posted 20 April 2010 - 07:04 PM


Hey guys,

im looking at doing this to a uc, i would like to put commy wheels on (maybe walkinshaws VL) will the skyline diff offset be suitable? or should i be looking at a commy diff & getting it cut down?


Maybe you should request a mod remove your replys to this thread and start a new thread with your specific questions, this is a thread on how to convert a diff to suit standard LH LX torana, not so much on modifying it to suit your specific car and wheels.
maybe i should be asking what offset i should be using with whatg size rim. im going flareless ;)

also whats the best suited front brake upgrade to suit the skyline rear? sorry im new at this ;) p,s im putting a 304 into the car & am looking for a street stip car for some fun



#116 Statler

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Posted 29 April 2010 - 12:33 PM

I just had a visit from a m8.
He had his new BW commy diff shortened to fit LH?X.
Supplied with new rear rotors & recoed [presumably] calipers.

Unpainted with a stock centre.....$3200!!!!!

#117 greens nice

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Posted 29 April 2010 - 12:51 PM

I just had a visit from a m8.
He had his new BW commy diff shortened to fit LH?X.
Supplied with new rear rotors & recoed [presumably] calipers.

Unpainted with a stock centre.....$3200!!!!!



wow, he got jipped big time. my complete 9 inch with billet axles was only $1900.

#118 Statler

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Posted 29 April 2010 - 01:25 PM

I thought the same thing, but ring around the suppliers & they are all quoting figures like that!

When did they start making these things out of gold?

#119 76lxhatch

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Posted 29 April 2010 - 03:39 PM

Are they putting custom axles in them to get the right lengths?

#120 TerrA LX

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Posted 30 April 2010 - 12:23 AM

custom made axles are 8- 900 dollars max, be carefull guys.

#121 Statler

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Posted 30 April 2010 - 10:20 AM

I don't know exactly what is involved in modifying a commodore BW to suit the LH/X.
I presume that 1 axle is the right length. So instead of using 1 long/1 short, they use 2 short. No resplining required. Only 1 axle tube requires shortening. Someone correct me if i'm wrong.

Then the usual swapping of the brackets.

In a workshop enviroment; with a jig; you should be able to spit out 3 or 4 housings/8hr shift.

Why have the prices gone from $4-600.....to $3000+?

I think this conversion has merit. It started out cheaper & lighter than the usual 9" option, but with these prices, it's out of reach for many!

I need to start making diffs. Clearly i'm in the wrong game!

#122 76lxhatch

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Posted 30 April 2010 - 11:07 AM

I presume that 1 axle is the right length. So instead of using 1 long/1 short, they use 2 short. No resplining required. Only 1 axle tube requires shortening. Someone correct me if i'm wrong.

The VN short axle is pretty well exactly the same length as LH/LX Torana but I'm not sure if its preferable to maintain the Borg Warner offset centre which would require different lengths...? Does seem a bit silly

#123 TerrA LX

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Posted 30 April 2010 - 11:46 AM

Using a Commodore short axle as the long axle in Torana means you still have to use a short axle!!! Usually the long Commodore one is cut down to make the short Torana axle to save costs.

#124 _Torrie_Man_

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Posted 30 May 2010 - 02:30 PM

Does anyone know if you could slip a couple of Volvo BW axles into a skyline housing to save redrilling the stud pattern?

#125 greens nice

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Posted 30 May 2010 - 05:37 PM

Does anyone know if you could slip a couple of Volvo BW axles into a skyline housing to save redrilling the stud pattern?



volvo axles are 27 spline, totally different size too.




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